Community Partnerships Manager

Join the Nashville Banner’s independent newsroom as our next enterprise Join the Nashville Banner as its First Community Partnerships Manager

The Nashville Banner is a nonprofit newsroom delivering community-informed journalism that engages and empowers people across Middle Tennessee. As the Banner embarks on a three-year initiative to double the size of our newsroom, we’re looking for our first community partnerships manager — a pivotal role that will lead and expand our earned revenue program to help usher in and sustain this growth.

This is a ground-up, entrepreneurial opportunity to develop a new revenue stream for a promising local news startup. You’ll help connect local businesses, nonprofits and civic organizations with their neighbors through meaningful sponsorships and partnerships that sustain independent local journalism.

Location: Nashville, Tennessee (Remote within the Nashville area)

Reports to: Director of Development

Salary: $75,000 plus uncapped commission

Benefits: Medical, dental and vision insurance; unlimited paid time off; paid holidays; remote work flexibility; supportive, collaborative team culture with room for growth

About the role

As the community partnerships manager, you will develop and manage relationships with local businesses and organizations that share the Banner’s mission to strengthen civic life in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. You will design creative partnership opportunities — from digital sponsorships and newsletter underwriting to event collaborations — that provide partners with valuable exposure while supporting public-service journalism. You will also work closely with the audience development and content teams to create thoughtful products and foster connections that serve both partners and readers.

This is a highly entrepreneurial role. You’ll be building the foundation for the Banner’s earned revenue program — developing systems, offerings and partnerships that will contribute to the newsroom’s long-term success.

What you’ll do:

• Build and manage relationships with businesses, nonprofits and community partners that want to engage with the Banner’s audience and mission
• Learn about partner goals and design customized sponsorship and underwriting opportunities that deliver community impact and brand value
• Persuasively convey the Banner’s customer value proposition to prospective partners through storytelling, data and results
• Manage the full partnership cycle, from outreach and proposal development to campaign execution, reporting and renewal
• Build and track your partnership pipeline in the customer relationship management system, forecasting progress toward monthly, quarterly and annual goals
• Collaborate with the director of development and editorial teams to align partnership opportunities with coverage areas, events and community engagement initiatives
• Monitor trends in audience engagement, media sponsorship and digital marketing to inform new products and creative approaches

You’ll thrive in this role if you:

• Have a proven track record of building and managing at least a $500,000 book of business through partnerships, sponsorships or advertising
• Are energized by building something from the ground up and shaping a new revenue program for a growing local news organization
• Are entrepreneurial, self-motivated and comfortable operating in a startup environment
• Combine a consultative, mission-driven approach with a drive to exceed goals
• Are creative and strategic in developing partnership opportunities
• Are collaborative and enjoy working closely with content and audience development teams to design thoughtful, impactful solutions
• Care deeply about strengthening local news and civic life in Nashville

Preferred qualifications

• At least three years of experience in partnership development, business development or sponsorship sales
• Strong ties to the Middle Tennessee business and nonprofit community
• Demonstrated success in cultivating and closing partnerships
• Excellent written, digital and interpersonal communication skills
• Genuine enthusiasm for the Nashville Banner’s mission and impact

Compensation and benefits

• Salary: $75,000 plus uncapped commission
• Benefits: Medical, dental and vision insurance; unlimited paid time off; paid holidays; remote work flexibility
• Professional growth: As the Banner grows, this role offers opportunities to expand into leadership in community partnerships, business development or revenue strategy

To apply

Send your cover letter and resume to jobs@nashvillepublicmedia.com with “Community Partnerships Manager” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Inclusivity statement

The Nashville Banner is committed to building a newsroom that reflects the diversity of its community. The organization encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those from historically underrepresented communities such as people of color, LGBTQ individuals and people with disabilities.